Transhumanism Exposes the Best and Worst in humanity Says Fortean Author Robert Steven Thomas

Transhumanism Exposes the Best and Worst in humanity Says Fortean Author Robert Steven Thomas

Robert Steven Thomas and I continue our conversation on his book Intelligent Intervention: The Missing Link in the History of Human Evolution.

Russell Scott - A big interest of yours is transhumanism (h+). H+ naturally sparks a great divide in its critics and supporters as man surges ever closer to artificially transforming the human species into, as you say “Gods”. The 2045 Initiative is a well-known project right now; where do you see man in 50 years, 100 years, 500 years, as it relates to transhumanism?

Robert Steven Thomas - Transhumanism does indeed expose both the best and worst in contemporary humanity Russell. While the division it creates may ultimately serve a useful purpose to mankind, much of it is unwarranted and simply the product of apathy and ignorance on the part of far too many people. In truth, transhumanism isn’t surging closer … we are already there! While it is likely many of the more remarkable and transformative H+ potentials are still decades away, the initial stages have already taken root and are here with us now.

Consider the Cochlear implant which allows the deaf to hear through an embedded computer chip ... Mentally driven - computer responsive, artificial limbs which provide mobility to those who suffer from “locked-in syndrome”and new implant-devices which respond to your own brain waves and are currently providing three dimensional vision to individuals who have non-functioning eyes or have been blind from birth. These creations presently exist and are being tested and used at this time by real people. While they remain a work-in-progress at this stage, they do actually function. Improvements on these devices will most certainly advance dramatically in the near future … and by near future I mean as measured in years, not decades. How can any reasonable person deny the use of these remarkable devices and the benefit of improving the quality of life for those who are unfortunately afflicted? Cannot the same be said about computer enhanced individual intelligence? Why not? Do we still have one foot too securely in the Dark Ages?

Re: Transhumanism Exposes the Best and Worst in humanity Says Fortean Author Robert Steven Thomas

Robert Steven Thomas and I continue our conversation on his book Intelligent Intervention: The Missing Link in the History of Human Evolution.

Russell Scott - A big interest of yours is transhumanism (h+). H+ naturally sparks a great divide in its critics and supporters as man surges ever closer to artificially transforming the human species into, as you say “Gods”. The 2045 Initiative is a well-known project right now; where do you see man in 50 years, 100 years, 500 years, as it relates to transhumanism?

Robert Steven Thomas - Transhumanism does indeed expose both the best and worst in contemporary humanity Russell. While the division it creates may ultimately serve a useful purpose to mankind, much of it is unwarranted and simply the product of apathy and ignorance on the part of far too many people. In truth, transhumanism isn’t surging closer … we are already there! While it is likely many of the more remarkable and transformative H+ potentials are still decades away, the initial stages have already taken root and are here with us now.

Consider the Cochlear implant which allows the deaf to hear through an embedded computer chip ... Mentally driven - computer responsive, artificial limbs which provide mobility to those who suffer from “locked-in syndrome”and new implant-devices which respond to your own brain waves and are currently providing three dimensional vision to individuals who have non-functioning eyes or have been blind from birth. These creations presently exist and are being tested and used at this time by real people. While they remain a work-in-progress at this stage, they do actually function. Improvements on these devices will most certainly advance dramatically in the near future … and by near future I mean as measured in years, not decades. How can any reasonable person deny the use of these remarkable devices and the benefit of improving the quality of life for those who are unfortunately afflicted? Cannot the same be said about computer enhanced individual intelligence? Why not? Do we still have one foot too securely in the Dark Ages?

Re: Transhumanism Exposes the Best and Worst in humanity Says Fortean Author Robert Steven Thomas

They start out talking about becoming demi-gods, but when you criticize them they act like you're against cochlear implants and eye glasses.

How does being apathetic about becoming foe cyborg gods make one a dark age Luddite? At some point transhumanism is no longer a question about technological advancement, but is rather a series of heavy philosophical questions.

Re: Transhumanism Exposes the Best and Worst in humanity Says Fortean Author Robert Steven Thomas

These are new product attachments to be made and installed in mass. So naturally the lack of studies in long term health effects will be a major problem like it is with big Pharma. You can count on it.

Religion aside, Health should be enough to scare people away. They will have to spend millions on advertising to counter it.

Re: Transhumanism Exposes the Best and Worst in humanity Says Fortean Author Robert Steven Thomas

Organic life is a perfection that man-made junk crap will never be a match for.Transhumanism is a satanic anti-human ideology...a blasphemy.If the time of final battle between true humans and dehumanized human-junk hybrids(borgs) ever arrives, i will be on the side of human resistance.

Looks like Crispr and similar genetic technologies are going to be another major player on the future direction humanity may take. Besides cyborgs and uploaded minds, we are probably going to see all kinds of unusual and exotic humanoids on this planet in the very near future.

I imagine a center fielder that can jump 20 feet in the air to deny a home run will take a lot of the fun out of the game. Even for people that undergo procedures to extend their lifespan indefinitely, should they be allowed to reproduce? If no one ever died, this world would get over crowded in a hurry. These technologies are going to lead to numerous legal and ethical discussions.